-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It took a lot of effort for Leo Bonten to turn his amputated leg into a fully functional lamp . For starters , he had to break the damn thing in a freak kiddie pool accident .

As one does .

Seriously . That 's how it all started , thus confirming what I 've always said : `` Kiddie pools are not toys , and should only be used as giant , outdoor toilets . ''

I chose that as my high school yearbook quote over `` Carpe diem . ''

But it really happened . In July 2012 , the unfortunate Dutchman suffered a terrible break while goofing off with his cousin in south Rotterdam . Over time , the leg became infected , ignored , and more infected to the point where , in July of this year , doctors had to remove it surgically .

So , Bonten , now 53 , settled in to the fact that he would be losing his right leg -- a harsh reality for an otherwise healthy and active man . But it was damaged beyond repair , and there was nothing he could do . Except , you know , maybe ask to keep it .

`` It 's my leg , '' he told me over the phone . `` It 's my legal right . ''

Sort of . We 'll get to that .

Either way , he asked for it , which I 'm sure lead to a rather awkward , if not spirited , conversation with hospital administrators .

`` Sir , we just ca n't give it to you . ''

`` Right . Well , what if I bring in my own tin foil ? ''

Generally speaking , hospitals use very specific protocol with amputations . For safety and sanitation reasons , they 're usually required to incinerate them .

Body parts can also be buried during some sort of official funeral -LRB- and , perhaps , exhumed -RRB- with proper legal oversight . But that was an expensive option , and not one Bonten was able to afford .

Though , probably worth it just to see the face of the grave digger .

`` Do n't go anywhere , Dave . And hold on to that shovel . ''

So , Bonten would n't be doing that . There would be no funeral . Still , he wanted his leg , for he had a crazy idea . He would turn it into a lamp .

Sort of like the one from Ralphie 's house in `` A Christmas Story . ''

But real . And significantly more severed .

Thus , Bonten and the hospital entered a complicated period of legal negotiations , where they finally came to a mutual agreement after a strange set of circumstances .

You see , leading up to his surgery at Erasmus Medical Center , a news reporter gave Bonten a book by Joris van Casteren about a mysterious leg found by a fisherman in the IJssel River . That book led Bonten to a pathologist named Frank van de Goot , who was more than happy to help with all this lamp nonsense .

You see , as per his profession , van de Goot was able to legally obtain Bonten 's leg from the hospital after surgery .

Thus , the leg was then couriered to van de Goot as specified by the law . He would inspect it . He would study it . And , ultimately , he would preserve the leg with chemicals so it could remain ... a leg .

Problem solved . Almost .

Someone still had to make it into a lamp .

Eventually , as Bonten 's story became an even bigger media sensation , a designer named William Schaper Kotter decided to reach out and offer his services to complete the vision .

This thing was actually going to happen .

And now it 's done . They made a lamp out of his leg .

Today , the leg sits suspended in a glass cylinder filled with a solution . Surrounding that cylinder are metal bars , symbolizing two years of physical `` imprisonment '' suffered by Bonten while the leg deteriorated .

Above that is an empty space . This represents the rehab period . And on the top sits a large remote-controlled LED light , flanked by two metal wings , honoring Bonten 's upcoming freedom from the help of a new limb .

Which is where the story takes another twist . The issue of the prosthetic .

Bonten explained to me that the one he 's getting through his insurance is not top of the line . Quite simply , he wants something better . Something stronger . Something more agile .

Because , before all this , he played soccer . He ran . He boxed . It was one silly accident that changed everything .

But a high-tech prosthetic will cost him . So , he decided to sell his lamp on eBay for â ‚ ¬ 100,000 -- an endeavor that lasted not even two days before the online bidding site rejected his listing .

You ca n't sell human parts on eBay .

On the plus side , you CAN sell used socks . Do n't ask me why I was looking . Just know that you can .

So , until somebody comes to him with an offer , Bonten will just keep it at home , where he just returned after a lengthy stint in rehab . His lamp will arrive on Sunday , and he 'll finally be re-united with his leg .

`` My leg is amputated , '' he says , fully understanding the humor and absurdity in all this . `` But it gives me a good feeling that I still have it . ''

And if he wants to cover the foot with a dirty , used sock ... sadly , I know just the place .

Follow @JarrettBellini on Twitter . And prepare to be underwhelmed .

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Leo Bonten broke his leg in a backyard accident in Rotterdam

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His leg eventually had to be amputated due to infection

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Bonten tried selling his leg on eBay after turning it into a lamp